Cross border scams go under the spotlight

Mass marketing scams were the focus of discussion by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Dublin yesterday.

DETI’s Trading Standards Service and Consumerline attended the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Cross Border Scams Conference, alongside a number of European consumer protection agencies engaged in tackling such practice.



The event, in conjunction with the Irish Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) and the National Consumer Agency (NCA), focused on partnership working and best practice in combating mass marketing scams. Scams such as deceptive prize draw and lottery mailings, bogus holiday clubs and miracle health cures, cost UK consumers £3.5 billion every year and are a global problem.

The conference shared strategies for tackling scams, explored opportunities for further joined up enforcement in the European Union (EU) and discussed two major new EU consumer protection laws – the Consumer Protection Co-Operation Regulation (CPC) and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD). The CPC, which came into force in the UK in January 2007 and the UCPD, which is due to come into force in December 2007, provide greater enforcement powers against cross-border scams.



Christine Wade, OFT Assistant Chief Executive, Consumer Advice and Trading Standards, said: “Mass marketing scams are a global menace. The conference demonstrated a European commitment to fighting scams in the interests of consumers and business."

David Livingstone, Head of DETI’s Trading Standards Service said: “It is important that the public are made aware of the type of scams to which they may fall victim.

“If you are in any way suspicious about a mailshot, a telephone call or an email we would urge you NOT to give out any of your personal details, or send any money.

 If you require further information and advice, contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.”


(JM/KMcA)